The American College of Trial Lawyers Issues Statement Opposing
Political Attacks on Judges

IRVINE, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--The American College of Trial Lawyers (The College) today issued a
statement opposing political attacks on judges, stating that such
attacks are a direct threat to judicial independence.

The statement was made by Michael W. Smith, president of the American
College of Trial Lawyers, on behalf of The College and its 5,900 Fellows.

Smith said, “In the midst of this heated campaign season, the American
College of Trial Lawyers is concerned over recent comments and their
effect on the independence of the judiciary. Political attacks on judges
pose a direct threat to judicial independence. Judicial independence is
not established for the benefit of judges, but for all of us. It is the citizens
who are the beneficiaries of fair and impartial administration of
justice consistent with the Rule of Law. Conversely, it is the citizens
who suffer when judicial independence is compromised.

“On behalf of the American College of Trial Lawyers, I implore the
participants in election processes, national and local, including
candidates and commentators, to refrain from attacks on individual
judges, who are not politicians and are in no position to defend
themselves from political attacks. The judiciary has been described as
the crown jewel of our constitutional form of government and as such, we
must work to preserve its dignity,” said Smith.

The American College of Trial Lawyers is composed of the best of the
trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and is widely
considered to be the premier professional trial organization in North
America. Founded in 1950, the College is an invitation only fellowship.
The College thoroughly investigates each nominee for admission and
selects only those who have demonstrated the very highest standards of
trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism and
collegiality. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards
of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of
justice through education and public statements on important legal
issues relating to its mission. The College strongly supports the
independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of
law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties
to legal proceedings. Learn more at www.actl.com.

Smith is chairman of Christian & Barton, LLP, in Richmond, Va., and its
Executive Committee, and is head of the firm’s Litigation section.